Alarm system control



July 29, 1941 ALARM SYSjEM CONTROL Filed Feb. 21, 1938 3 Shets-Sheet l w. L. FOSS 2,250,828

July 29, 1941. w, L Foss 2,250,828

ALARM SYSTEM CONTROL Filed Feb. 21, 1938 Y 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 July 29, 1941. w. L. FOSS 2,250,828

ALARM SYSTEM CONTROL Filed Feb. 21, 1938 3 Sheets-Sheet} Patented July 29, 1941 pm rs o STATES PATENT OF-Finis ALARM SYSTEM CONTROL William L. Foss, Washington, D. (7., assignor to 'ilowtoniRa'dio Alarm Company, Seattle, Wash.

Application 'FebruaryZl, 1938, Serial No. 191,786

9 Claims. (01. 177-314) This invention relates to control provisions for alarm systems and has as an object the elimination asfar as possible, of the sending of a false alarm by an authorized person entering the protected premises.

Accordingto. the invention, the alarmvsystem is preferably. placed in operative condition .from outside therbuilding, or other enclosedrpremises, and desirably at a-point convenient-to the door designated for final exit and initial entrance.

When this door is subsequently opened, .itwill immediately set in operation a timedelay-device which, after a predetermined period, will set oh the alarm, but this period is sufiicient so that an authorized person, by means known to him,v but assumedly notknownto an unauthor- -In order that the invention may be 'thoroughly understood, 1 have shown typical embodiments in :the accompanying drawings, in which:

.Figure .1- shows schematically the new control system .in connection with radio broadcasting apparatus;

Figure 2 shows the system of Figure :1 but with an additional safety provision; and

vFigure 3 also shows the system of Figure ,1 with the. additional safety feature of Figure 2 applied ina different manner.

Referring to Figure -1,reference numeral Ill designates .a cabinet contemplated as containing a radio transmitter in connection with an antenna II and ground l2 and containingalso suitable connections whereby to operatively connect either the-burglar circuit, including the wires .l3 and M, or the fire circuit;,inc1uding the "wires l5 and lfi, with controls for alarm message producing meansand the transmitter.

Further,.the cabinet in is here contemplated as containing .a battery from which are led the positive wire 1 I1 and the negative if wire [8.

The fire circuitincludesa requisite number of normally open thermostats l9 connected in parallel with wires l5 and IS, the thermostats being suitably-disposedin various parts of the protected premises. Fortest pu poses, the wires include the jacks 20.. and 2 I.

The burglar circuit wires i3 and i4 are'led to the contacts 22 and 23 of a double polo double throw switch designated generally at Z Landincludingfithe swingableerms 25 and 26, With the switch 24 set as shown, acircuitcan be com.- pleted through the various window and door switches, the former being generally designated at 21, and through a switch28 having apro- Je'cting control arm 29,normally biased to closed position. 7 t I I v.

.With theuswitch 231 inreverse position,wires l3 and. I A'Hare ,connected to a circuit 3:! which incl des a battery. set of -.ha r s 7 a m lliammeter 32 and a, variable "resistance 133 b-y an o wh h bur ar c c i ma e: te ted when desired; V g

A relay A includes .a coi l 3-iv and contactor arms 35 and36Jadaptedtomove in unison and normally. biased away frornthe coil, 7 When. the ,coil is energized, arrns 35 andtfi. engage relay t s 31 and :38 sne t vel Wh n the 90 is deenergized ar m 3 5' engages v a relay ,con-

One end of coil 34 is inconnection withwire 18 through a wire 4'0, the other endvqf 'thecoil being in connectionthrougha wire 4!; withone terminal 42 of, a push button 43 in an. accessible po ition J t outside the ou wa d y swin in door .D of the protected premises .whoseenc1osr ing walls are shown inpartat P. The other terminal 44 of thepush, button is'in connection with contact .3! .through a wire 45. A ,circuit 46 around coil 34 contains a white light .41, A wire 48 connected to wire l'lin advance 'ofrelay A Joins wire Al and has interposed .therein' a switch .49.

Contact 39 is connected by a .wireEii with. a door switch 5| which, as here shown, is. so associated with door D that when the dooris closed the switch is closed, and when the door is opened the switch opens. The other side. of .switchfil is connected by awire 52 with one end ,of the coil 53..of a relay .3, the other end or the coil being in direct .connection .with linelfi. Connected aroundlthe coil agreenlamp 54. Relay B includesa "contactor arm 5,5 whichis in connection with wire '50 and is biased to ya closed position with a; relay contact 56 when coil 53 is deenergizeda Contact 561s connected by.a wire 51 with onebrush of arnotor 53 ofa time delay device which includes ,re d11,c.tion earing 9 da 1ShaHEd c m fi fwhi h i rotated at a relatively. slow predetermined speed whe u e isunnli dt mo 6, Th othe motor brush is connectedfby a wire filgintoa normally closed switch 62 which includes a projecting control arm 63. This arm and arm 29 are positioned in the plane of cam 60 but out of its zone of immediate action. Upon a sufficiently continued rotation of the cam, arm 29 will ultimately be engaged by the cam s1u-face 64 and arm 63 by the cam surface 63 so that the switches will be opened. The other side of the switch 62 is connected by a wire 65 with a wire 61 leading from conductor I8 to a light 68 or other local signalling device distinguishable outside the door D, and thence to wire 45. A red light 69 is connected between wires and 61, and a buzzer, or similar sound signalling device I0 is connected between wires 57 and BI.

Wires H and I2 extend from wires I3 and I4 of the burglar circuit to contact 38 and arm 36, respectively.

The mode of operation is as follows:

The system is assumed to be in daytime position with switch 49 closed and relay A consequently energized through wires 40 and 48 and light 41 showing. Relay arm 36 is in engagement with contact 38 and consequently the burglar circuit is short-circuited through wires TI and I2. Accordingly, any opening of windows or doors will have no effect on the broadcasting apparatus. Switch 24 is assumed to be in the position shown. Light 68 is burning.

Before leaving the premises, the operator authorized to set the system opens switch 49, relay A remaining energized by the circuit established through push button 43. The operator now If, upon opening door D, switch 49 is not closed within the prescribed time, cam surface 54 will engage arm 29 so that switch 20 in the alarm circuit will be opened and an alarm will immediately be broadcast. When cam surface 65 simultaneously or later engages arm 53 to open switch 62 the motor circuit will be interrupted and the cam will stop in a position wherein switch 20 is held open. Lamp 69 will continue to function and buzzer I0 will be silent. It may be stated that the holding open of switch .28 is not necessary in the systems described in the above mentioned applications since according to those systems the momentary opening of the burglar circuit affects a relay which throws the broadcasting apparatus into action. The relay must be manually reset and cannot be reset merely by again closing the alarm circuit.

The system shown in Figure 2 is like that of Figure 1 except that provisions are made so that when the door switch 5I is once opened, it is rendered, thenceforth, ineffective so that closing of the door will not effect reenergization of relay B and consequent interruption of the current supply to the motor 58, lamp 69 and buzzer I0. To this end a third relay C is provided, this relay having a coil I00 and contactor arms WI and I02 normally biased away from relay con- I tacts I03 and I04, respectively. Wire I1 is conleaves through door D and closes and locks the opened, depression of push button 43, previously without effect, will cause the deenergization of relay A so that arm 35 will move away from contact 3! and against contact 39 and arm 36 will simultaneously move away from contact 38. Light 68 will be extinguished. Due to the break at contact 31, push button 43 is without further effect, and due to the break at contact 38, the short has been removed from the burglar circuit and the latter is now in protective condition, assuming that the various protective switches, as at the windows and doors, are closed.

Due to the closing at contact 39 of relay A, a circuit is completed to coil 53 of relay B through door switch 5I, and li ht 54 shows. Arm 55 is moved from contact 56 so that no current can.

reach motor 58, lamp 69 and buzzer I0.

If now door D should be o ened switch 5| opens so that coil 53 of relayB is lie-energized and a circuit is established through relay arm 55 and contact 56 to motor 58. lamp 69 and buzzer 10. The timing of cam 60 is such that the authorized person has an opportunity to reach switch 49 and close it. and is reminded to do this by the light 69 and the buzzer I0. The presence and/or location of switch 40 is assumedly unknown to unauthorized persons. When sw tch 49 is thus closed, the relay assumes the condition shown so that current supply to the. motor 58. lamp 69 and buzzer I0 is broken at point 30. pushbutton 43 is again placed in circuit, and the alarm circuit is shorted out.

tinued to a switch I05 which includes a fixed contact I06 to which one end of coil I00 isconnected, the other end of the coil being connected by a wire I01 with wire I8. The switch contact I08 is in electrical connection with relay contact I03. v

A wire I08 extends from wire I! to one point of a push button I09 whose other point is connected by a wire IIO with relay arm IOI. Push button I09 is positioned adjacent push button 43 so as to be readily accessible at the outside of door D.

The contact I04 of relay C is connected by a wire III with wire 52 and arm I02 of relay C is connected by a wire II2 to the arm 55a of relay B. The latter relay is provided with an additional contact II3 which is engaged by the arm 55a when the relay is energized whereby to complete a connection to door switch 5| through wire 50a.

With the system in the day position shown, coil I00 of relay C is energized through switch I05 and a circuit is completed to push button I09 through arm IM and contact I03, but the push button is without effect because switch I05 is closed. When the premises are to be closed for the night, switches 49 and I05 are opened by the operator, but this has no effect other than to place the control of the coils of relays A and C in the push buttons 43 and I09, respectively. When the operator has gone out through door D and closed and locked the same, he presses push button 43 with the result that an energizing circuit is completed to the coil of relay B through contacts 39 and I04 of relays A and C, respectively. Arm 55a of relay B is thrown into engagement with contact I I3. When push button. I09 is now depressed, relay C is deepergized so that its contacts are broken, thus placing door switch 5| in control of the energization of relay B through contact II3. When the door D is opened, thereby opening switch 5I, the action of the system is the same as described in connection with Figure 1, except that in this instance the circuit to the switch is interrupted at H3. If the door were immediately closed, it would have no effect on the operation of the system, since the closing of switch will be without efiect due to the breaks at point H3 of relay B and at point ||l4of relay C. An alarm will be broadcast unless switch 49 is closed during the period allowed by the time delay switch.

The purpose of those features of Figure 3, which are in addition to the basic system of Figure 1, is the same as in Figure 2, namely, to take all control function from door switch 5| once it has been opened with the system in night condition.

Referring to Figure 3, relay A has added thereto a contactor arm B and a fixed contact 2!, the latter being inconnection with line I! and the former being led to a terminal 262 and thence to one end of the coil of relay B" whoseother end is in connection with line H! at a terminal 263. Arm 2% closes when relay A is energized and opens when the relay is deenergizedin other words it acts in unison with the other arms, of the relay.

Relay B" is provided with the contactor arm 55b in connection with contact 391) of relayA. Arm 55b is cooperable with contact 56 of the motor circuit asbefore, but when relay B is energized and A is deenergizedthe arm engages a contact 204 so that a green light 89b between it and terminal 203 is lighted.

Relay B" has a second contactor arm 295 in connection with line I! through the, wire 206. It moves in unison with arm 55b and when'the relay is energized engages a contact 201 so, that conductor 59b is closed up to the door switch 5|. The other side, of switch 5| is in connection with terminal 202 through a wire 52?).

With relay A energized, the coil of relay B" is connected across lines H and '|8 so that the contactor arms 55b and 205 occupy the position illustrated and green light 6% shows. When switch is opened, door D closed, thus closing switch 5|, and pushbutton 43 depressed, relay A will be deenergized as before so that a break will occur at contact 28L However, an energizing circuit for the coil of relay B will nowbe established between wires l7 and I8 through the door switch 5| and contact 231 of relay B". If the door D is now opened, switch 5| is also opened, so that relay B is deenergized and due to the break at contact 201 reclosing of switch 5| cannot again cause energization of relay B. Consequently, the time delay mechanism will operate and an alarm will be broadcast unl ss switch 49 is closed in time.

In Figures 1, 2 and 3 the outlines x, y and z, in dash lines, are intended to designate cabinets or trays in or on which the inclosed apparatus may be mounted to form a convenient unit.

It will be understood that the invention is not limited to the illustrative disclosure herein, but extends to equivalent arrangements and devices falling within the scope of the following claims. In referring, in the claims, to disturbance of a burglar circuit is meant the afiecting of the circuit, in a manner appropriate to the particular circuit, to disturb its normal current condition so that it is conditioned to cause operation of the alarm signal means.

I claim:

1. In an alarm system for enclosed premises, said system including a burglar circuit and alarm signalling means actuated upon disturbance of said circuit, a control system including a circuit for shorting the burglar circuit whereby to render the latter ineffective, a switch in said shorting means for controlling said switch, energizing. circuits for said electromagnetic means having a common point of connection with the latter, a switch inside the premises for controlling one of said energizing circuits, and a switch for controlling the other of said energizing circuits accessible outside the premises and operable to cause said electromagnetic means to break the shorting circuit only subsequent to a prescribed manipulation of the inside switch.

2. In an alarm system for enclosed premises, said system including a burglar circuit and alarm signalling means actuated upon disturbance of said circuit, a control system including a circuit for shorting the burglar circuit whereby to render the latter ineffective, a switch in said shortingcircuit for controlling the same, electromagnetic means for controlling said switch, energizingcircuits for said electromagnetic means having a common point of connection with the latter, a switch inside the premises for controlling one of said energizing circuits, a switch for controlling the other of said energizing circuits accessible 5 outside the premises and operable to cause said electromagnetic means to break the shorting circuit only subsequent to a prescribed manipulae tion of the inside switch, and a switch in. said other oisaidenergizing circuits and controlled by said electromagnetic means to render the last named circuit ineffective after operation of. said outside switch has caused operation of said electromagnetic means to break the shorting circuit.

3. In an alarm system for enclosed premises, said system including a burglar circuit andalarm signalling means actuated upon disturbance of said circuit, a control system including a circuit for shorting the burglar circuit whereby torender the latter ineffective, a switch in said shorting circuit for controlling the same, electromagnetic means for controlling said switch, energizing circuits for said electromagnetic means having a common point of connection with the latter, a switch inside the premises for controlling one of said energizing circuits, a switch for controlling the other of said energizing circuits accessible outside the premises and operable to cause said electromagnetic means to break the shorting circuit only subsequent to a prescribed manipulation of the inside switch, a switch in said other of said energizing circuits and controlled by said electromagnetic means to render the last named circuit ineffective after operation of said outside switch has caused operation of said electromagnetic means to break the shorting circuit, a local signalling device distinguishable exteriorly 'of the premises, and a circuit for said device controllable by said circuit breaker subsequent to the prescribed manipulation of said inside switch, said device being operative while said shorting circuit is operative.

4. In an alarm system for enclosed premises, said system including a burglar circuit and alarm signaling means actuated upon disturbance of said circuit, the premises including an entrance door, a control system including delayed action means adapted to disturb said burglar circuit, a circuit for controlling said delayed action means, electromagnetic means for controlling said control circuit, adoor switch, a circuit including said electromagnetic means and door switch, said door switch affecting the last-named circuit in such manner when said door is opened that through the consequent action of said electromagnetic means said control circuit is conditioned to acticircuit for controlling the same, electromagnetic vate said delayed action means, a switch inside the premises operable to recondition said control circuit whereby said delayed action means is rendered inactive before it has been effective to disturb said burglar circuit, and means operated upon actuation of said door switch to render the latter incapable of affecting said electromagnetic means if the door is reclosed.

5. In an alarm system for enclosed premises, said system including a burglar circuit and alarm signaling means actuated upon disturbance of said circuit, the premises including an entrance door, a control system including a door switch controlled by said door, a time delay switch in said burglar circuit, a circuit for controlling the activation of said time delay switch, a switch in said control circuit, the last named switch being normally open in the night-time condition of the control system, electromagnetic means for controlling said normally open switch, a circuit including said electromagnetic means and said door switch, said door switch affecting the last-named circuit in such manner when said door is opened that through the consequent action of said electromagnetic means said normally open switch is closed and completes said control circuit so that the time delay switch is activated, and a switch inside the building operable to break said control circuit so as to interrupt the activation of said time delay switch before the latter has been 'effective to disturb said burglar circuit.

6. In an alarm system for enclosed premises, said system including a burglar circuit and alarm signaling means actuated upon disturbance of said circuit, the premises including an entrance door, a control system including a door switch controlled by said door, a time delay switch in said burglar circuit, a circuit for controlling the activation of said time delay switch, a switch in said control circuit, the last named switch being normally open in the night-time condition of the control system, electromagnetic means for controlling said normally open switch, a circuit including said electromagnetic means and said door switch, said door switch affecting the last named circuit in such manner when said door is opened that through the consequent action of said electromagnetic means said normally open switch is closed and completes said control circuit so that the time delay'switch is activated, and a switch inside the building operable to break said control circuit so as to interrupt the activation of said time delay switch before the latter has been effective to disturb said burglar circuit, the circuit which includes the door switch and electromagnetic means including another switch controlled by said electromagnetic means when the door switch is operated by the opening of the door to render the door switch incapable of affecting said electromagnetic means as the door is reclosed.

'7. A control system according to claim 6 wherein said normally open switch and the other switch controlled by said electromagnetic means have a movable switch element in common.

8. A control system according to claim 6 wherean auxiliary circuit is provided for taking control of said electromagnetic means from said door switch, and wherein means are provided for controlling said auxiliary circuit.

9. A control system according to claim 6 wherein an auxiliary circuit is provided for taking control of said electromagnetic means from said door switch, wherein means are provided for controlling said auxiliary circuit, and wherein said auxiliary circuit is normally energized in daytime condition of the control system.

WILLIAM L. FOSS. 

